Tales of Asgard #1
A reprint of the old Tales of Asgard with new coloring. Before I had only seen scans of these or read them A nice collection of the early tales including Odin’s early battles with Surtur and Ymir, how Heimdall became the guardian to the bridge, how Thor earned Mjolnir and a few others. The new coloring really makes a difference.

A few bios from old handbooks are included. In some ways they are a nice addition, but are so out of date (such as the Odin one) that one wishes they would update them. I would have to see how they compare to the Marvel handbook on mythology out next month. The Surtur one at least appears to be somewhat new since it mentions the Ragnarok cycle.

The final plus is a chronology of sorts of Thor tpbs. I had been looking for something like this so it is nice to see what Thor tbps are out there.
Stories: 9/10
Art: 9/10
Extras: 2/3
Overall: 9/10

Wolverine: First Class #15
I picked this up due to Thor’s appearance and it was written by Peter David. Overall a nice story with decent art. It was set back when Thor still had the 60 second weakness. Not great, but good to show how many superheroes view Thor and Thor ins a different environment and a different perspective than what we are used to seeing.
Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

Trial of Thor #1
I know not everyone likes one-shots, but I actually did like this one. It being a mystery set it apart from most issues where Thor just bashes some giant’s head in. It also gave insight into how the Asgardians do things that require more subtlety than bashing things in with a hammer. Thor using his brains was a good show too.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but was this the first time Vali appeared? I was glad to see other major gods shown such as Tyr and Hermod. So often they are over looked or not involved enough. And it seems Asgard was racially much more advanced than humans of even the modern time period.

I do agree that the ending was rather abrupt. I think part of that is just due to limited space. That and the writer was inconsistent with the Asgardian speech. Sometimes it was toward the Shakespearean other times it was more modern.

Artwise, it was mixed. At the beginning it was excellent. I liked the use of Thor’s new costume with slight alterations. Toward the end it did begin to wane.
Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Overall 7/10

Thor #602
I admit I was more interested in Hercules than this one, but overall this was another solid issue where quite a bit happened, but at the same time did not happen.

Mjolnir was repaired thanks to Dr. Strange.

Balder showing some more brains and wary of Loki. He is right about the dangers of ruling and the balancing act one has to pull. Him taking a long view and the possibilities of a win/win scenario is impressive.

Bill and Kelda subplot is developing nicely.

Doom and Loki are still scheming. I wonder who will try and overthrow Osborn first. Loki is maneuvering Osborn nicely and now has an army ready to take down Doom. That is two of four rivals taken care of.

The Odinpower was finally resolved. I know some people did not like the way this was done, but part of me still thinks JMS didn’t really want it in the first place and after some comments from Tom was forced to deal with it. With Asgard being on Earth and the whole system screwed up it is not surprising the Odinforce is as well. Mjolnir and Thor are now closer than ever before which just lends more credence to the claim that the two are one.

Sif is back. I’m glad this subplot was finally resolved. Her combined with the Warriors Three is the beginning of a formidable army. At the rate Thor is going he’ll have all the best fighting talent in Asgard.

Kelda’s control of the storm. Other beings in the nine worlds have demonstrated some weather control before so this is not a problem. Thor’s is probable just the greatest or the only recognized storm god. As of yet, has Kelda even been called a god? Part of me still thinks she might be a light elf.

Heimdall-Glad JMS is still howing his powers are more than just super-senses. It would be sad for the Aesir to die so soon as they returned.
Artwise: I found the art more than adequate . His pencials are a bit rougher than Coilpels’, but in a way they go with the darker turn the series has taken. I think part of it might be the inker and colorist are different from some of the earlier issues and not quite as bright.
Story: 8/10
Art 8/10
Overall: 8/10

Incredible Hercules #130 Review
The Trail of Zeus: What would happen if a sky-father is held accountable for his actions as king of the gods?

To ease this I will break it into several parts.
Pluto
In some ways he was a star of this issue. If I did not know much about him previously a person would almost think it would be worth it to have Pluto take over. He comes across as someone very just and reasonable who just wants to set right the injustices he has been forced to carry out due to Zeus setting up the system Pluto is forced to enforce. Of course, correcting this means him taking over. If given a contest between Hera and him I have to go with Hades.

The Trial
The accuser: Pluto Accused: Zeus Defense: Zeus’s bumbling son Hercules. The Jury: 501 individuals who blame Zeus for their current predicaments. The charges: Zeus is imperfect and worse no way better than those who has sentenced to Tartarus making rendering all of his judgments invalid. The punishment: Death of personality vie the River Lethe.

I have mixed feelings in the trial. Overall, I was disappointed, but I understand why. Zeus’ trial could easily have taken two or three issues to go over all the crap he has pulled and Pak and Lente wanted it over with in one which I commend. On the other hand I wish they had used some of the more damnable evidence like the abduction of Persephone or the Trojan War.

The three witnesses did not present that damning of a case. Cronos served little purpose than to show Zeus’s rise to power was through underhanded means, but Hercules provided an adequate defense. The second witness was meant to show the law was unjust and since Zeus is the one who decreed the law he is ultimately to blame for that. The last one is Typhon who cites Mother Earth herself was so fed up with the gods she sent the giants to get rid of them, but thanks to Athena the gods were prepared and cruelly struck down the giants while reveling in the bloodshed. Zeus himself instead of lamenting it or trying to reign in the gods encouraged more. Most importantly perhaps this is the first time Zeus spoke to Hercules.

Overall, I believe based on the evidence presented Pluto failed to prove his case. Nothing he did really ties Zeus down to anything horrible. The giants’ rebellion was a case of Zeus defending his home. Some of his judgment might be questionable or lack of foresight at times, but not worth totally destroying him. Thankfully for Pluto, Zeus damned himself.

The Defense
Zeus’s defense could be used in some ways for the defense of just about any force attributed to be in charge of the universe. First off, Zeus admits the charges are true. He argues that all his actions are ultimately justifiable.

1.     Mortals have brief lives and whatever the gods do through action or inaction they will receive blame. A fact about godhood Hercules has failed to recognize.
2.    Someone has to be in charge and promote advance meant no matter what it means.
3.    Mortals can’t fully comprehend the ways of the gods.
4.    The gods ultimately sever as a scapegoat for mortal suffering. Without the gods mortals would only have themselves to blame for their current situation.

I think Zeus does raise a few good points. Mortals want someone to blame for their troubles, hate accepting responsibility themselves, and a supernatural power is a convenient excuse. Others excuses being any number of things from the government to a vast conspiracy. It is also true that mortals might never get the full picture of what the gods know and to some by definition being a god places one above conventional morality. Finally, someone has to be in charge and run things (following the line of thinking in the book).

Unfortunately for Zeus, his defense does not impress the jury or me for that matter. Some of Zeus actions could be justified by those reasons, but many others cannot be and are ultimelty flaws in his own character that are great enough to call into question his rule. Herc tries to present a defense by showing how Zeus is in a way perfect by being unable to change or evolve making him perfect as he is and pitiable. This of course only makes Zeus angrier.

The revelation here only condemns Zeus more. I won’t tell you what it is, but let’s just say Herc owe more to Athena than anybody before realized.

The issue ends on a note I predicted in my last review that Pak and Lente brought up that is worth next issue.

Art wise, I found no major or outstanding flaws. The facial expressions on everyone worked well. From Zeus’s arrogance and anger to Pluto’s words of benevolence contrasted with his own eyes and movements.

The trials was a disappointment, but I understand why. The other parts make up for it.
Story: 8/10
Art: 8/10
Overall: 8/10


Well, that was long.

Thoughts?